Treatment.—­If there is pus it must be carefully opened.  The patient must remain quiet in bed.  Sometimes cold applications relieve.  Do not use warm applications.  This disease is not frequent and the patient needs care and watching more than medicine.

Goitre (bronchial).  Causes.—­No satisfactory explanation can be given for this disease.  It seems to be more prevalent where lime-stone water is used.  Heredity plays a part.  This is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.  Chronic enlargement of the thyroid is sporadic.  Cases are scattered and endemic in certain mountainous regions.  It affects young women most often.  A great excess in lime drinking water may be the cause.  It is very prevalent about the eastern shore of Lake Ontario and in parts of Michigan.  It is a common complaint in this country.

Symptoms.—­There is a gradual painless enlargement of the whole gland or one lobe, etc.  It may press on the windpipe, and cause difficult breathing, also on the blood vessels and nerves.

Recovery.—­This is usually favorable as to life, but not so favorable as a cure.  It becomes chronic.  A sudden fatal ending may come.

Goitre, mothers’ remedies,—­1.  Three Ingredient Remedy for.—­“The following treatment is excellent, but must be continued for several months: 

Extract of Belladonna      1/2 dram
Compound Ointment Iodine   1/2 dram
Vaselin                    1/2 ounce

Apply this to the affected parts several times a day.”

If this treatment is kept up faithfully it is sure to help.

[Illustration:  Thyroid Gland.]

[Blood and ductless glands 259]

2.  Goitre, Simple Remedy for.—­“Wring a cloth from cold water and bind it around the neck every night when retiring.  This is a sure cure if continued for some time.”

3.  Goitre, Inexpensive Remedy for—­“Apply the following several times a day:  Extract of belladonna one-half dram, compound ointment of iodine two drams; this treatment must be kept up several months.”  The above treatment will be found very beneficial and is not an expensive one.

Physicians’ treatment for Goitre.—­1.  Locally tincture of iodine; paint some on the gland once or twice a day until it gets a little sore and keep it so for weeks, or use cosmoline and put in it about one-quarter as much iodine and rub on.  Lard will do instead of cosmoline.  The parts should be kept red and a little sore.  Use also iodide of potash, five grains, three times a day internally, while you are using external applications.

2.  Use the compound of tincture of iodine the same way, externally.  This is not so strong and can be used longer with, I think, better results.  At the same time you may use this same medicine internally.  Take one to two drops internally three times a day; or you may take five grains of iodide of potash three times a day instead.  Externally:  These applications must produce a little redness and be continued for some time.